Chapter 1
The fine white sand of the islet tickles her bare feet as she walks slowly along the seashore. She has been walking aimlessly back and forth on the long sand dune for nearly an hour, thinking of how things unfold, going back to places she had been before, and literally killing her time. Having lived alone on the islet for quite a while, she has realized that things have their own time and timing. Life really is a box of chocolates, you never know what you’re gonna get.
The heart-shaped islet looks like a decorative pendant worn by the mainland. It has become her hidden sanctuary, the fortress that defends her from all sorts of obliterations. The lushness of its surroundings attests to its capacity to support life, to protect, and to nourish any living creatures seeking refuge—be it permanent or temporary. This place is still unexplored, its hidden beauty sure to bring relief to tired and lost souls.
Watching the endless horizon, she breathes deeply and sighs as the ebbing water gleams in cheerful surprise. A licensed architect at 26, Ellah couldn’t ask for anything more. She has almost everything, beauty, brains, wealth, fame, and love. But, suddenly, the thought of her long-term relationship with Vince, her college boyfriend, gives her chills and goosebumps.
She and Vince met at a club orientation during her sophomore year. The low baritone voice of the tall young man holding the microphone fascinated and inspired her to listen attentively for two whole hours. After the orientation, Ellah and her classmates gathered around the long table situated in the middle of the hall and registered for the Fun Run the club was sponsoring. They were already a few steps away from the registration table when the same low baritone voice called for their attention. Ellah wasn’t able to write her contact number on the registration form. Honestly, she did that on purpose. Ellah seldom gave out her information.
Days turned into months, and Ellah became active in the club. In their junior year, Vince was elected to vice president, and Ellah landed a post in the library and archive committee. In their senior year, Ellah formally introduced Vince to her family.
A broken seashell touches the tip of her right foot, which brings her back to the present. She gently kicks the sand to cover the shell and prevent further harm, and eventually she finds a place to settle.
Back in the city, when her friends asked about her love life, she would gladly and confidently say, “Of course I’m happy. Vince is almost perfect.” But when lying alone on her bed at night, emptiness spread from the four corners of her room, and over time, it entered the deepest labyrinth of her heart.
Was she really happy?
“What’s this?” The CEO asked as he slowly removed his eyeglasses and looked straight at Mikaella Lee, junior architect for Paramount Builders.
“I’m rendering my resignation, sir,” Ellah answered without hesitation. “And it is irrevocable,” she continued while crossing her two arms in front of her bosom to conceal the butterflies in her stomach.
Before she had headed to the office of the CEO, Mikaella Lee had been walking to and fro in front of her desk inside her office on the 10th floor of Wang Lee and Sons Tower, located in the heart of Ayala in Makati. Her resignation letter was dated two weeks ago, but she failed to hand it in immediately. The CEO had been out of the country for almost a week for a business meeting with the big bosses of Key Tan’s Holdings, an emerging electrical manufacturing company in Taiwan. It was a big project. If Paramount Builders could sign the contract, the company could secure more than 50% of its annual gross. Mikaella Lee understood the eagerness of their CEO to close the deal and get that partnership, that’s why she patiently waited for the perfect timing, and for his return.
The delay in submitting her resignation was a blessing in disguise, and a pendulum that almost pushed her sanity to drift. Every single day of waiting prolonged the agony and tempted her to change her mind, but she, Mikaella Lee, had the will power to pursue what she thought and said. The waiting wasn’t purely an agony, for during those days, Mikaella Lee was able to weigh things thoroughly and gain confidence that her decision was right.
“Let’s talk, Mikaellah Lee,” the low voice of the 54-year-old CEO quivered. His face started to become auburn as his right hand angrily dropped the folder into the glass table. His action produced an audible sound, which caused the secretary to peep through the door.
“But sir.”
“Don’t call me sir.”
“Seven thirty.”
“OK,” she answered in a disappointed tone and faced the door to exit. The secretary sitting at her desk right outside the CEO’s office looked at Mikaella Lee with doubtful eyes, shook her head, and returned to work.